Carrier



Feb. 14, 1961 R. J. WHORTON CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1959 INVENTOR. Faber? Whorfon Feb. 14, 1961 R. J. WHORTON 7 CARRIER Filed Jan. 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Poberf' I Whori'on flfforneys United States Patent CARRIER Robert J. Wharton, 1604 8th Ave. W., Birmingham, Ala.

Filed Jan. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 790,012

'5 Claims. (Cl. 211-73) This invention relates to a carrier for generally cylindrical objects and more particularly to a carrier adapted for carrying generally cylindrical objects of different diameters.

Heretofore the openings in carriers for receiving generally cylindrical objects, such as bottles and the like, have been of a fixed diameter. Thus, carriers were designed for cylindrical objects of a fixed diameter and if cylindri cal objects of several different diameters were employed, a carrier for each separate diameter object would have to be provided.

By the present invention, I provide a carrier having means whereby the diameter of the openings for receiving cylindrical objects may be varied, selectively, to adapt the carrier for use in carrying generally cylindrical objects of different diameters. Such means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, vertically extending slots in the back wall of the carrier and a flexible strip defining one side of the openings receiving the cylindrical objects adapted to engage, selectively, one of the slots. The diameter of the openings is thus changed by selecting different slots to engage the flexible strips.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of one embodiment of my invention showing an erected paperboard carrier having bottles therein;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the erected carrier shown in Fig. 1 with the bottles removed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the blank forming the carrier shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a modification of my invention showing a carrier for bottles and the like formed from a sheet metal material having hinged walls;

Fig. 7 is an end view showing the carrier of Fig. 6 in collapsed position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view looking generally along the line 99 of Fig. 6 and show.ng the securing elements of the embodiment shown in Figs. 68;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 showing a different form of retaining member defining the circular openings receiving the generally cylindrical objects; and,

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view, showing a further modified form of my invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, I show a carrier 10 formed of a paperboard material with bottles B being disposed within the erected carrier shown in Figs. 1 and 2. My carrier is particularly adaptable for use in automobiles and the like for holding cups or bottles of different diameters and has a handle portion 11 with an end 12 thereof adapted for insertion between the glass window in the door (not shown) of an automobile and the frame of the door thereby holding the carrier 10 in place against the automobile door with a back wall panel 13 of the carrier 10 resting against the surface of the door. Back wall panel 13 has two series of laterally spaced, vertically extending openings 14 with each series of openings 14 connected by a common laterally extending opening 16. Each opening 14 comprises a neck 17 of a relatively narrow width leading to an enlarged circular opening 18.

The back wall panel 13 is foldably connected to the bottom wall panel 19 through fold line 21, and apertures 22 (see Pg. 4) are provided in panels 19 and 13 for receiving hooks 23 therethrough. The hooks 23 are adapted to hold a trash receptacle (not shown) for the disposal of paper and the like which commonly accumulates in an automobile. The bottom wall panel 19 is foldably connected to the front wall panel 24 through fold line 26 and the front wall panel 24 is foldably connected to the top wall panel 27 through fold line 29. Top wall panel 27 comprises a pair of laterally spaced openings 31 separated by a median strip 32. The openings 31 are defined at their outer sides by fiex ble retaining strips 33. The median strip 32 is also flexible and has a pair of laterally spaced securing elements 36 on the outer edge thereof adapted to engage a pair of the slots 14 in securing relation for holding the median strip 32 in position in abutting relation to the back wall 13, a securing element 36 of the median strip being in each of the series of openings. Each of the flexible strips 33 also has securing means 36 on the outer edge thereof and adapted to engage selectively any one of the vertically extending slots 14. The securing elements 36 comprise a tongue portion 37 being of a greater width than the width of the openings 18 and adapted to be inserted in openings 18 with the lateral projections 40 of the tongue portions 37 abutting the rear surface of the back wall panel 13 and thereby holding the retaining strips 33 and median strip 32 in secured erected relation. It is understood that the openings 31 may be adapted to retain cylindrical objects of difierent diameters by moving the retaining strips 33 so that the securing means 36 engage a different slot 14. Thus, bottles and the like of different diameters may be carried within the openings 31, the

position of the securing means 36 determinng the diameter of the openings31. The paperboard material from which the carrier 10 i formed is of a relatively heavy paperboard and the handle portion 11 is formed on the upper end of the back wall panel 13 with transverse fold lines 35 extending thereacross to allow the handle portion 11 to be easily bent for inserton between the glass window and the frame of an automobile door.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 in which I show a different embodiment of my invention having a carrier 1%? formed of a sheet metal material with the rear wall panel 13 hingedly connected to the bottom wall panel 19 through a hinge 21 The bottom wall panel 19 is connected to the front wall panel 24 by a corresponding hinge 26 The top wall panel 27 is hingedly conneoted to the front wall panel 24 through hinge 29 The top wall panel 27 is formed similarly to the top wall panel 27 shown in Fig. 3, but the securing elements 36 comprise beaded ends 37 which fit in vertically extending slots 14 and engage the rear surface of the back wall panel 1.3 in abutting relation for securing the top wall panel 27 in position. Hooks 23*- are hingedly connected along the hinge 21 and are adapted to support thereon a disposal receptacle for waste paper and the like. The operation of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 6 through 9 is similar to that of the form shown in Figs. 1 through 5 and flexible strips 33 are provided on the outer side of the openings 31 which are adapted to determine the diameter of the openings 31.

if desired, as shown in Fig. 10, the top wall panel 27 of the sheet metal, embodiment shown in Figs. 6-9 may comprise flexible wire members 41 having end portions 42 adapted to be inserted with'n apertures 43 extending angularly through the rear wall panel 13*. It is understood that the end portions 42 on the outer sides of the openings may be positioned within any of the openings 43 to adapt the wire members 41 for retaining cylindrical objects of different diameters.

In Fig. 11 I show a further mod'fied form of my invention in which the openings for receiving the cylindrical objects are defined by vertically extending divider members 44 connected to a front wall panel 24 A bottom wall panel 19 connects the front wall panel 24 to a rear wall panel 13 The rear wall panel 13* is provided with a suitable handle, not shown, for attaching the same to a part of an automobile, as described hereinabove. Outwardly and upwardly extending hook members 46 are provided at the sides of the carrier for attaching trash receptacles for the disposal of paper and the like.

The rear ends of the divider members 44 have reduced portions 47 for movement within a laterally extending opening provided in the rear wall panel 13 Enlarged portions 48 are provided adjacent the free ends of the divider members 44 in position to engage the back of the rear wall panel 13 It will be understood that a plurality of vertically extending slots 49 are provided in the rear wall panel 13 for inserting selectiveiy the enlarged portions 48. The vertically extending slots communicate with transverse slots 51 which are of a size to receive the reduced portion 47 of the divider members.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that have-devised a carrier. adapted to be positioned on the side of an automobile door, which carrier is adaptable for carrying and retaining generally cylindrical objects of different diameters, such as cups, bottles, and the like. A close fit is provided around the generally cylindrical objects by having a flexible retaining strip or member that engages, selectively, one of a plurality of vertically extending slots in the back wall panel of the carrier.

While I have shown my inventIon in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and Ides're, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A carrier for generally cylindrical objects comprising a back Wall panel having a plurality of laterally 'spaced vertically extending slots connected by a common laterally extending opening, a bottom wall panel foldably connected to the back wall panel, a front wall panel foldablyconnected to said bottom wall panel opposite the side thereof on which said back wall panel is connected, a top wall panel foldably connected to said front wall panel on the side thereof opposite said bottom wall panel, said top Wall panel having at least one opening therein adapted to receive said objects in retaining relation, and a flexible retaining member defining a side of said opening having a free edge with securing means thereon adapted to be inserted in said common laterally extending opening and to engage a selected one of said slots to adapt the top panel to receive objects of varying diameters.

2. A carrier for generally cylindrical objects comprising a back wall panel. havinga plurality of laterally spaced openings therein, a bottom wall panel foldably connected to the back wall panel; a front wall panel foldably connected to said bottom wall panel opposite the side thereof on which said back wall panel is connected, a top wall panel foldably connected to said front wall panel on the side thereof opposite said bottom wall panel, said top wall panel having at least one generally circular opening therein adapted to receive one of said objects in retaining relation, and a flexible member forming a side of the circular opening having a free edge with retaining means thereon adapted to be inserted in a selected one of said openings to secure the top Wall panel to the back wall panel and to position said top panel for receiving objects of varying diameters.

3. A carrier for generally cylindrical objects comprising a back wall panel having two series of laterally spaced vertically extending slots with each series connected by a common laterally extending opening, a bottom wall panel foldably connected to the back wall panel, a front wail panel foldably-connected to said bottom wall panel opposite the side thereof on which said back wall panel is connected, a top wall panel foldably connected to said side wall panel on the side thereof opposite said bottom wall panel, said top wall panel having a pair of laterally spaced generally circular openings therein adapted to receive objects in retaining relation, aflexible median strip separating said circular openings and having a pair of laterally spaced securing elements on the edge thereof adjacent said back wall panel, one of said pair of securing elements engaging a slot in one series and the other of said pair engaging a slot in the other series to secure the top wall panel to the back wall panel in the erected position of the carrier, and a flexible strip defining the outer side of each of said openings and having securing means on the edge thereof adjacent the back wall with the securing means on one strip adapted to engage a selected one of the slots in one series and the securing means on the other strip adapted to engage. a selected one of the slots in the other series.

4. A carrier as defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that the carrier is formed of metal and said iexible strip member comprises a wfre member having an outwardly extending end portion adapted to engage a selected one of said openings.

5. A carrier as defined in claim 3 and further characterized in that a pair of laterally spacedhooks is secured to the carrier and extend downwardly from the bottom wall panel whereby a disposal receptacle may be supported therefrom. a

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

